Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 139: what you’re looking at

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126 dent : he was a remorseless persecutor ; and I felt how needful it was to be thenceforth completely upon my guard against the operations of his trea- chery. I arrived in safety at Embledon : but it was then too late to visit Mr. Croft; and being thoroughly wearied by all I had gone through, I longed to re- tire to rest. Icertainly did not like the idea of taking up my quarters in a miserable public. house; for Embledon could boast of nothing better : but there was no alternative—and to that miserable inn did I accordingly direct the postilion to take me. On alighting at the place, I expe- rienced no small degree of satisfaction on finding that the house was perfectly silent; for I had dreaded lest there might be a horde of tippling villagers or peasants in the tap-room. I however beheld no one but the blear-eyed old woman who was the mistress of the place; and she received me with a respectful curtsey. I asked if I could be accommodated with a chamber for the night P— and I was conducted to one which, though ex: ceedingly small and very poorly furnished, was nevertheless cleanly. “TI believe,” I said, “that the name of your clergyman here is Mr. Croft ?” * Yes—it be, ma’am,” answered the old woman. ** And do you happen to know whether he is at home?” I said: “ for I have come to Embledon on purpose to see him.” | “Oh, yes, ma’am! I know he be at home!” rejoined the landlady; “cos why him and Mrs. Croft has a party this evening.” “ Mrs. Croft?” I ejaculated: and I was about fo put some more questions, when thinking it would appear strange, I said, “ Thank you: good night.” The old woman retired; and I was left alone in the little chamber. One point of information which I had elicited was satisfactory: namely, that Mr. Croft was at home, and that therefore I should be enabled to see him in the morning. But I was surprised to learn that he was married: for he had distinctly told me on the former occasion when I was at Embledon, that there was no lady at his house who could receive me—by which I under- stood him to mean that he was not a married man. I however reflected that he might possibly have intended to intimate that his wife was from home at the time. I retired to rest, and slept soundly until morning. At eight o’clock I rose, and partook of the break- fast that was served up. I asked no more ques- tions relative to the clergyman; but at about nine o’clock I proceeded towards the habitation which Mr. Croft himself had pointed out to me on the occasion of my previous visit. It was then em- bowered by the foliage-of the surrounding trees: but now these trees were all stripped of their leaves, and the cold wind of winter moaned amidst their skeleton branches. The house was a small one, but of picturesque and genteel appearance; and it stood in the midst of a garden, which was separated by a paddock from the churchyard. I advanced up to the front door; and my summons was answered by a buxom, neatly-attired servant- girl, I inquired if Mr. Croft were at home ?—she replied in the affirmative ; and conducting me into a parlour, requested to know what name she should mention P ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. “ Have the kindness to say that Miss Perey from London has called,’ I answered. I remained alone in the parlour for about five minutes,—at the expiration of which interval the door opened; anda short stout gentleman, about sixty years of age, and with a very red face, made his appearance. He wore a somewhat shabby morning gown; and therefore I concluded that he must be an inmate of the house—probably some friend staying with Mr. Croft: but he was alto- gether unlike Mr. Croft himself. He bowed with sufficient politeness—requested me to be seated— and taking a chair also, looked at me as if waiting to know my business. “I called to seo the Reverend Mr. Croft,” I said. “Tam Me. Croft,” was the reply, which startled and bewildered me. “ But perhaps, sir,” I said, after a pause, “you are not the minister of the village? You are the brother no doubt i : **T am the incumbent of Embledon, Miss Percy,” responded the clergyman: and he himself evidently began to think that there was something strange in the turn which our interview was taking. * There is a mistake, sir,’ I observed: “ you are not the gentleman whom I expected to see. -Per- haps there is another clergyman of the same name ” “Ah! I begin to comprehend,” exclaimed the reverend gentleman. ‘“ There is another Mr. Croft living at Embledon: but I am not acquainted with him—neither was I previously aware that he was aclergyman. It is he doubtless whom you seek. He lodges at the linendraper’s, in the very centre of the village.” I rose, and expressed my regret for having in- truded upon Mr. Croft. He looked very much as if he would like to know what business it was that had brought me to Embledon: but I of course did not choose to give any explanation. I thanked him for his courtesy, and took my departure, my mind most painfully afflicted on Juliet’s account. I had no difficulty in finding the linendraper’s, which was a very superior establishment for so small a place. Knocking at the private door, I inquired of the female servant who answered the summons, if Mr. Croft were at home ?—but that gentleman himself immediately came running down the stairs; and at the first glance I saw that his look was strange and excited as he recognised me. He was dressed in precisely the same style as when I had last seen him, except that his clothes were new and his white cravat was cleaner. Quickly recovering from the evident embarrassment into which my appearance had thrown him, he invited me to walk up-stairs,—his manner being full of courtesy—his tone blandand mild. I followed him up into'a well-furnished room, where a number of books were ranged upon shelves: but there was an air of untidiness about the apartment—and several newspapers littered the floor. Mr, Croft invited me to be seated ; and depositing himself in an easy chair which stood near the table, he said, “ What has again brought you, Miss Perey, to Emble- don ?” | “The object of my visit is soon explained, Mr. Croft,” I answered. ‘“ May I without farther pre- face beg to be informed whether you lhaye at any time given a certificate of that marriage-——’ ie) o CONnMEDIOOKS com